In Net Zero Britain, no domestic dwellings will have fossil-fuel heating. We take a detailed look at one London Borough, the missed opportunities and the potential going forward.
That's a great question. I think the answer will have to be new regulations, restrictions, and the end-date for technologies e.g. gas boilers. Ideally we should see the planning department of all local authorities at least providing advice and guidance on net zero, and perhaps even make it a requirement for undertaking a house refurbishment. In addition, the costs of new air source heat pumps hitting lower and lower entry points (the Octopus one aiming for £1000) which will encourage people to use them. All together though this highlights the need for trusted information sources to support lots of individual net zero decisions - a potential role for charities/CIC organisations working with local authorities, housing associations etc.
Interesting post, which aligns closely with my own observations (smaller scale and much less scientific) in neighbouring Ealing. For the first time today I've seen solar panels on a house nearby; I see no sign of investment in heat pumps, but quite a few electric cars. And when I did my own building project last year neither the Council nor the builder said anything to me in the least related to Net Zero (bar the requirement to meet certain legal standards; there was no sense that I might want to go further).
The question is why are relatively affluent west Londoners who could afford these changes not making them? I don't think the rising cost of energy will be a sufficient trigger.
That's a great question. I think the answer will have to be new regulations, restrictions, and the end-date for technologies e.g. gas boilers. Ideally we should see the planning department of all local authorities at least providing advice and guidance on net zero, and perhaps even make it a requirement for undertaking a house refurbishment. In addition, the costs of new air source heat pumps hitting lower and lower entry points (the Octopus one aiming for £1000) which will encourage people to use them. All together though this highlights the need for trusted information sources to support lots of individual net zero decisions - a potential role for charities/CIC organisations working with local authorities, housing associations etc.
Interesting post, which aligns closely with my own observations (smaller scale and much less scientific) in neighbouring Ealing. For the first time today I've seen solar panels on a house nearby; I see no sign of investment in heat pumps, but quite a few electric cars. And when I did my own building project last year neither the Council nor the builder said anything to me in the least related to Net Zero (bar the requirement to meet certain legal standards; there was no sense that I might want to go further).
The question is why are relatively affluent west Londoners who could afford these changes not making them? I don't think the rising cost of energy will be a sufficient trigger.